WIP Imperial Guard Chasseur (or not)

[Cannonball]

I agree with everything that has been said about the quality and depth of information that has been provided by PF members in response to this thread. There is so much knowledge out there, it would be the envy of professional historians. However, I do still find it curious that we have such a discussion about one of the best-known units in Napoleon's army. You would think that it should be so well-known and documented that there should be little room for misinterpretation, even allowing for variations of uniform and kit in the field and some of the wilder accessorising by officers. Fascinating though.

Great sentiments Richard.

Neal

 

[NeilW]

I do still find it curious that we have such a discussion about one of the best-known units in Napoleon's army. You would think that it should be so well-known and documented that there should be little room for misinterpretation, even allowing for variations of uniform and kit in the field and some of the wilder accessorising by officers.

Best ask the sculptor/publisher.

Have Carl/Stormtrooper responded to any of this?

 

[NeilW]

If I remember correctly, the Eclaireur Dragoons, who wore a tall, tapered shako with a leather chinstrap, had additional cords which wrapped around the body to stop the headgear being lost.

True Richard. It was the ludicrously tall Roleau Shako as worn by the 2nd Regt Eclaireur, the 2nd Regt Chasseur Cheval, the Young Garde squadrons and other odd units. I think that the cords wound around the waist of the Czapska originally served a similar function (though they often became purely decorative).



BTW: I think that the heavy plaited cords on the bust (and shakos of the period) are really just decorative, having evolved away from any actual function.

 

[ivopreda]

these discussions are justified more for an important unit like the guard chasseur than for a minor unit. The guard chasseur are always under the eyes of Napoleon and didn't have problem with money as for the line troops.

The corp was the most prestigious of the Army and deviation aren't permitted as for the guard grenadier.

cords for the officers? acceptable until the empire regulation... after the uniform didn't have any modification. I checked many portraits and none have cords


my de beauharnais

 

[NeilW]

The corp was the most prestigious of the Army and deviation aren't permitted as for the guard grenadier.

cords for the officers? acceptable until the empire regulation... after the uniform didn't have any modification. I checked many portraits and none have cords

Agree Ivo and very few refs I can find show cords (and then they may be erroneous).

Cannonball's refs (with cords) are by Carle Vernet (pub. 1821) showing senior officers and Nicolaus Hoffman (died 1823), so probably contemporary and based on actual observation.

However, a similar Hoffman drawing of a trumpeter is said to show a period of transition from Consulate to Empire with a resultant mish-mash of equipment, including the red breeches and cords.